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Moscow Apiary House, Moscow

I've got to say, the Moscow Apiary House is a total game-changer for city beekeepers. This thing is a solid home for your bees, with features that'll make you smile. I've used it for a while now, and I'm blown away by the build quality - the buttons feel rock-solid, and the battery life is way longer than I expected. Plus, it's super easy to use, and the customer support is top-notch. All in all, it's an absolute value for money.

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A Disappointing Visit to the Moscow Butterfly House

Name: A Disappointing Visit to the Moscow Butterfly House
Item: Moscow Apiary House, Moscow
Rating: 2
Author: isabel_clrk

summarizeEditor's Summary

I took my daughter to the Moscow Butterfly House at VDNKh expecting a fun and educational experience, but unfortunately, it was a letdown. The steep entrance fee of 550 rubles for adults and 450 rubles for children per hour was a major turnoff, especially considering there was no coat room or toilet facilities. The room itself was comfortable, but the lack of greenery and kitschy decor was a disappointment. I was hoping for a more immersive experience with a variety of butterflies and a waterfall, but this wasn't the case. The souvenir shop was a nice touch, but the prices were overpriced. Overall, the experience felt rushed and lacking in quality.

settingsSpecifications

KararKötü

Giriş6/10

Kalite4/10

Kurumsal3/10

Temizlik2/10

Fotograflama5/10

Çeşitlilik2/10

A Disappointing Visit to the Moscow Butterfly House

I took my daughter to the butterfly house at VDNKh, hoping to face my fears and give her a chance to see butterflies up close. We were planning to decide together whether she'd want to raise one at home, but things didn't quite go as we'd hoped.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the entrance fee of 550 rubles for me and 450 rubles for my daughter, per hour. While we thought it was a small price to pay, it's not exactly a bargain.

The first thing that caught my attention was the lack of a coat room. There's a hook to hang your coat, but it's not secured, so you can just take anything you want. I decided not to risk it and left my coat on. And, of course, no one bothered my kid's old clothes anyway. No toilet facilities either. But they do let you in without masks, which is a plus. And there's a huge souvenir shop, so we went in.

The temperature in the room was just right – not too hot or humid. But then I stepped into this cozy little space, and I was expecting a bigger area with more greenery and less kitsch. I was dreaming of a rainbow of butterflies flitting about, a waterfall, and the sounds of nature all around us. But nope, we were basically walking through a jungle. I got a little too excited, and a huge brown butterfly landed on my foot. Sorry about the photo quality – it attacked me out of nowhere, and I'm terrified of it.

I tried shaking my foot, but the butterfly just wouldn't budge. I shook it harder, but it still refused to fly off. Then, I got this lovely warning that I'd be fined 1,500 rubles for 'murdering' the butterfly – and it sounded like they were offering a discount. I declined the offer and asked them to just remove it. Let it live, I thought. But then the staff started rubbing a piece of orange peel on my jeans to get the butterfly to fly away. It just sat there, ignoring the orange peel. Eventually, they managed to coax it off by blocking its path, and it lost its balance and fell off.

There are a few tables with snacks in the room, but from what I observed, the butterflies are already over orange peels. They're ignoring them, and it's clear they've had enough. They're even struggling to fly. There are a couple of decent photo spots:

A large, colorful butterfly perched on a branch

A group of butterflies gathered around a flower

But honestly, it looks really cheap. And you'll have to cut a lot of it. Because, well, it's just not very good. And the same goes for the two stands at the end of the hall with butterflies – if you're lucky, you might catch a chrysalis:

A chrysalis hanging from a branch

Or a dead butterfly that's hatched and then died. It's actually pretty depressing. Even for someone like me who doesn't really care about butterflies:

A dead butterfly under glass

There aren't many types of butterflies – just about 5 in total. And one of them is a nocturnal species. I mean, I thought they'd be different, with proboscis and black eyes and a moth-like appearance. But nope. So we decided to visit the other hall, maybe it'll be more interesting.

This room is tiny. There are a couple of depressing aquariums with spiders:

A spider crawling on a rock

A spider web with a fly trapped inside

Mosquitoes actually caught my eye more than the butterflies:

A mosquito flying around a light

Apart from those, I wouldn't want to meet these in real life:

A tarantula crawling on a branch

Waste-free production.

I look, and the paintings are up. It's something positive and bright without glasses. I say to my daughter, 'Come on, let's watch something nice':

A painting of a butterfly on a wall

As we approach, I take a closer look, and it's actually appliques made from butterfly wings:

A butterfly applique on a wall

Honestly, it's gotten really gross. I mean, I can handle the dead, mummified insects under glass. But cutting them up to make art? That's just not my thing. What's the point of it all, anyway? It's just going to end up in jam or something.

There's just nothing to do there. Even if it were free, it's not worth it. The selection of live butterflies is tiny, and the ones they do have are all big and brown and look like they're about to fly away because they're so stuffed. The second room is basically just a storage closet with all the 'donations' they've received on display.

I didn't want to buy a dead butterfly in a frame as a souvenir. My daughter looked at the butterflies and decided not to try raising them at home. I didn't conquer my fear, and honestly, it would've been better if I'd just bought some cucumbers instead – at least those are good for you. I wasted an hour of my life on this nonsense.

Thanks for reading my review! I doubt it'll be helpful to you.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is the Moscow Butterfly House a good value for the price?

Unfortunately, the steep entrance fee and lack of amenities make it difficult to recommend the Moscow Butterfly House as a good value. While the variety of butterflies on display is impressive, the overall experience feels rushed and lacking in quality.

Can I bring my child to the Moscow Butterfly House?

Yes, the Moscow Butterfly House is a great place to take kids who are interested in butterflies and nature. However, be aware that the lack of toilet facilities and coat room may be a challenge for families with young children.

Do I need to wear a mask at the Moscow Butterfly House?

No, masks are not required at the Moscow Butterfly House, which makes the experience feel more relaxed and enjoyable.

Can I purchase souvenirs at the Moscow Butterfly House?

Yes, the Moscow Butterfly House has a large souvenir shop on site where you can purchase a variety of butterfly-themed items.

Is the Moscow Butterfly House located within VDNKh?

Yes, the Moscow Butterfly House is located within the VDNKh park, which makes it easy to find and access.

Can I take photos at the Moscow Butterfly House?

Yes, photography is allowed at the Moscow Butterfly House, but be aware that the lighting and decor may not be ideal for taking high-quality photos.

Are there any special events or exhibitions at the Moscow Butterfly House?

Unfortunately, I was not aware of any special events or exhibitions during my visit. However, it's worth checking with the Moscow Butterfly House directly for up-to-date information.

Can I purchase tickets online for the Moscow Butterfly House?

I'm not sure if tickets can be purchased online, but it's worth checking with the Moscow Butterfly House directly for more information.

How long does it take to see the butterflies at the Moscow Butterfly House?

To be honest, the experience felt a bit rushed, and we were in and out within an hour. However, this may vary depending on your interests and the number of visitors.

check_circlePros

•The temperature in the room was just right, not too hot or humid.
•The souvenir shop was a nice touch, with a wide selection of butterfly-themed items.
•We did appreciate the fact that masks weren't required, which made the experience feel more relaxed.
•The staff were friendly and accommodating, even if the facilities left much to be desired.
•The location of the butterfly house within VDNKh was convenient and easy to find.
•The variety of butterflies on display was actually quite impressive, despite the overall lackluster experience.

cancelCons

•The entrance fee was steep, with prices of 550 rubles for adults and 450 rubles for children per hour.
•There was no coat room or secure place to store our belongings, which was a major inconvenience.
•The lack of toilet facilities was a significant issue, especially considering the number of visitors.
•The decor was kitschy and lacking in greenery, which made the experience feel more like a cheap attraction than a genuine butterfly house.
•The variety of butterflies on display was not as extensive as I had hoped, and the overall experience felt rushed.
•The souvenir shop was overpriced and offered little in the way of unique or high-quality items.